Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. Expands Governmental Relations Team

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. announced today that three consultants in the areas of regulatory affairs, public policy and legislative activities have joined the SC-based law firm. Effective immediately, Jeff Thordahl, Billy Routh, and Kimberly Varnadoe (Kim) Kent have been added to the firm’s Governmental Relations team.

They are joining Carl Blackstone, Governmental Relations Advisor, in the firm’s Columbia office at 1201 Main Street, 22nd floor, overlooking the South Carolina state capitol. Kent, a Greenville resident, will work out of both the Columbia and Greenville offices.

To grow the firm’s commitment to governmental relations, Blackstone, and the trio who previously were affiliated with another law firm, will form a new Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd subsidiary called Copper Dome Strategies, LLC. The group will also work with Mike Tongour, Special Counsel, who heads the firm’s federal legislative office in Washington.

The Firm’s Managing Director Anne S. Ellefson, Esq., said, “It is increasingly apparent that today’s business landscape demands an even stronger presence in the regulatory, legislative, commerce, and political arenas. This combined team of five veteran professionals will provide a full complement of state and federal representation for our national and international clients."

“Together, their diverse backgrounds, - ranging from working in the U.S. Senate, the S.C. Governor’s Office, the legislative branch, to Fortune 500 companies and major trade associations - will enhance our perspective and vision. We are delighted they chose our firm to share their years of experience in addressing complex issues.”

Their fields of experience encompass governmental relations, legislative activities, crisis management, procurement, regulatory affairs, public policy, advocacy, and educational initiatives. This will expand the firm’s concentration in various industrial sectors, such as manufacturing, healthcare, financial institutions/services, real estate, information technology, economic development, transportation, education, and construction.

The lobbying and consulting group will work closely with the firm’s three-member Management Committee, comprised of Ellefson, John B. McArthur of the Columbia office and John H. Tiller of the Charleston office.

The three new team members’ experience and credentials include:

Jeff Thordahl
CSX Corporation, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Carolinas;
SCANA Corporation, State Government Representative;
Office of SC Governor Carroll Campbell, Executive Assistant for Governmental Affairs and Legal Counsel;
SC Office of Senate Research, Staff Counsel; and
University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., and B.S., Wake Forest University.

Billy Routh
SC State Budget and Control Board, Program Manager for Strategic Communications;
Office of SC House Speaker David Wilkins, Chief of Staff;
Office of SC Governor David Beasley, Legislative Liaison; and
Office of SC Governor Carroll Campbell, Director of Intergovernmental Relations and Transportation.

Kim Kent
South Carolina Medical Association, Chief Policy Officer;
SC Department of Commerce, Governmental Affairs Director and Assistant General Counsel;
South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel; and
University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., and Converse College, B.A.